The WFA issued a statement Thursday evening regarding Leopoldo’s
removal from the pay-per-view contest against Rutten.

In the three-paragraph release, WFA CEO Jeremy Lappen indicated
that the California State Athletic Commission informed the WFA that
Leopoldo "tested positive for a banned substance and therefore is
not eligible" to compete July 22 at the Forum in Inglewood,
Calif.

Two days from his first professional fight since 1999, Rutten was
relaxing at home when he got the call that Leopoldo had been forced
off Saturday’s card after allegedly testing positive for
Stanozolol, a banned synthetic anabolic steroid derived from
testosterone.

As of Thursday evening, California State Athletic Commission Chief
Armando Garcia could not comment on the allegations. This is not
the first time Leopoldo, famous for his clash with Royce Gracie(Pictures) at UFC III, has failed a
urinalysis.

Following a June 2004 UFC contest in which Leopoldo was knocked out
by Ken Shamrock(Pictures), the Hawaiian was suspended six
months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and fined $5,000 for
having Stanozolol, more commonly known as Winstrol — a popular
steroid among bodybuilders for its weight-cutting benefits — as
well as other drugs in his system.

“Every guy who uses steroids to fight is a fucking pussy,” said an
exasperated Rutten. “For him to do this shit after all the
promotion he did, all the shit he talked about me — taking me out
in minutes and all that bullshit — apparently that was the steroids
talking, right?”

“It’s another thing for me,” he laughed. “Another challenge.”

"The WFA is a fighter-first organization, so Kimo’s
disqualification is a disappointment for our entire family of
fighters," Lappen said in the E-mailed statement. "But the positive
test is a reminder that the WFA and mixed martial arts is a
professional sport, governed by the same rules as other major
sports leagues.

"This situation, while disappointing, validates the steps we are
taking as an organization and a sport to ensure the integrity of
competition. We are currently working to secure another qualified
opponent for Bas so he can make his historic return to competitive
mixed martial arts on Saturday night. An announcement on the bout
will be forthcoming.”

Pele Out, Kampmann In

In a totally unrelated set of circumstances, the WFA on Wednesday
learned that Jose
Landi-Jons(Pictures) would not be able to compete
against Edwin Aguilar(Pictures). Though the reason for
Pele’s absence remains unclear, Danish striker Martin Kampmann has been signed
to fill the hole left by the veteran Brazilian.